Highlights

Partial bodywork restoration
Recent, comprehensive mechanical recommissioning
Matching numbers vehicle
Exempt from road tax and MOT testing
Original grey check cloth interior

The Appeal

During the 70s and 80s, Mercedes-Benz were building vehicles of such quality and finesse that they set the standard for what we came to expect from a luxury vehicle.

The R107 was a case in point.

Produced from 1971 to 1989 and benefitting from a number of advances, including unibody construction, this luxury sports car continues to be hugely popular both as a usable daily classic and as something a bit special for weekend drives.

This example is a UK-spec 280SL that spent a few years in California before being imported back into the UK in 2016/17. Since 2020, it has undergone a significant recommissioning process over eighteen months in order to get it back on the road.

Recently serviced and registered as an historic vehicle, it now ready for its next owner to complete the restoration and take the car to show standard, or simply enjoy it as a smart, daily classic.

The History and Paperwork

Manufactured in 1982
First registered in October 1984
Matching numbers vehicle
Exported to California
Imported back to the UK in 2016/17
Stored until 2020, when the current owner purchased it
Recommissioning and partial bodywork restoration by owner and mechanic in 2022
Clocks/odometer changed at some point (Mileage was 104,811 in 2010)
Owners manual and service handbook included as well as an original sales brochure
The US service history was lost when the SL was imported to the UK although the vendor was assured that it had full history
Last serviced in 2022
The vendor has a duplicate service book documenting the speedometer change and the most recent service
Invoices and paperwork from present ownership accompany the car

The Interior

Original grey check cloth interior
Modern JVC CD/Radio
Presented in good, unrestored condition

Featuring a combination of black vinyl and tasteful grey check cloth upholstery, the cabin of this 280SL is a disarmingly retro yet luxurious place to be.

All of the upholstery is in fine original condition, with the seats looking particularly good.

There are no tears or significant wear in the cloth or the vinyl, and the door cards are likewise very tidy and clean. With quality grey carpet throughout the interior and boot area, it’s a subtle and elegant backdrop for wafting about in style.

The dashboard features some nice inset wood veneer, as does the centre console, which looks to have been maintained to a high standard, with no signs of cracking or delamination.

Likewise, the dashboard itself is in similarly good condition, with no cracks or warping evident. We’re told by the vendor that everything works exactly as it should, with no faults.

Of course, there is some age-related wear and tear as the interior is in original, unrestored condition. But there’s nothing that would concern us, and only what we would categorise as “acceptable wear”.

In the boot area there is a full size spare alloy wheel and the wheel brace. It should be noted that there is an area of corrosion on the O/S inner lip of the boot, and also what appears to be some surface corrosion on the O/S of the boot floor.

The Exterior

Signal Red paintwork
Full lower body restoration
Refurbished 14” “Mexican Hat” alloys with new tyres
Soft-top in excellent condition
Not supplied with a hard-top

Finished in bright, original Signal Red, this SL strikes a handsome figure.

Riding on its refurbished alloys and new Hankook tyres, it’s a very tidy and clean looking car. The panels are straight and undamaged and the paintwork itself is in good condition.

There are some swirls and blemishes, as you’d expect on a car of this age, but a machine polish should soon resolve that.

When putting the car back on the road earlier this year, the owner significantly restored the underside and lower bodywork. Any rust in the lower body was cut out and fresh metal put into the floor pans, chassis and sills.

All repairs were then treated with Epoxy sealant, which the underside was painted with WaxOyl. The results are that the underside and lower areas of the car present very well and in a solid state.

Of course, one of the joys of the SL is the potential for open-top motoring, and the soft-top of this vehicle is in excellent condition. Raising and lowering with no issues, the fabric is very good, with no UV damage, splits or tears we could see.

Further up, there are one or two areas of bodywork that the new owner may wish to address. Firstly, there is some light bubbling on the N/S bootlid underneath the spoiler, as well as on the O/S front wing.

There is also what appears to be some surface corrosion to the base of the O/S B-pillar, and a small hole at the base of the O/S wing.

Generally, the bodywork is in good condition, and if the previously mentioned minor issues are addressed, it will soon be back to tip-top condition.

The Mechanics

2,746cc straight-six
4-speed automatic transmission
Brakes refurbished
New discs and pads all round
Full engine / gearbox service in 2022

The DOHC straight-six unit in the 280SL is a cracking engine, pushing a healthy 182bhp to the back wheels with a characterful and intoxicating burble. Mated to the automatic gearbox here, it provides smooth, rapid progress and the kind of cosseting ride that Mercedes are famous for.

When returned to the road, the car underwent a full mechanical recommissioning by a professional mechanic and the owner tells us that the car starts, drives and stops very well indeed.

The only minor issue is a slight lurch forward when selecting drive or reverse, but this was investigated by the mechanic who said it is nothing to worry about.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay is very clean and tidy, with no evidence of leaks or corrosion. Like all SLs, the car benefits from disc brakes all round, front double wishbone suspension, and also has ABS (quite an advanced feature at the time of manufacture).

Summary

Few vehicles are as universally adored and respected as the R107 SL. With it’s delectable combination of understated, timeless styling, characterful drivetrains and significant technical advances, they remain benchmarks in the car industry.

This is a nice, solid and very usable daily classic. With the current owner having undertaken a comprehensive recommissioning, it’s a great opportunity to acquire a good example of an appreciating classic.

Notice to bidders

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